KILLYBEGS OVERCAME Naomh Conaill last evening to win the Southern Regional Board Under-16 final at Pearse Park.
Killybegs 4-4 Naomh Conaill 2-9
First-half goals by Liam Doherty and Ryan Cunningham had Killybegs 2-1 to 1-0 ahead at the break and the Fishermen added further goals in part two by Odhrán McGuinness and Cunningham.
That all meant they had enough to hold onto their lot in spite of a spirited and relentless fightback from Naomh Conaill.
[adrotate group=”82″]The early exchanges were tepid and a point by McGuinness was the only score of the first 20 minutes.
But when Doherty burst in to fire home the opening goal of the game the touchpaper was lit.
Killybegs added a second goal when Cunningham blasted high to the Naomh Conaill net to open up a seven-point lead.
Just before half-time, Caolan McGill goaled from a penalty for Naomh Conaill’s only score of the first half.
[adrotate group=”46″]McGill pounced for a second Naomh Conaill goal after Oisin Campbell hut the bar, but two points by Danny Gallagher, whose introduction as a sub was key for the Glenties side, leveled things up.
However, Killybegs bagged a third goal as McGuinness netted, but they couldn’t move sufficiently clear to take the feet off the gas.
Naomh Conaill even led when Gallagher and Nathan Byrne hit quick-fire points, but Cunningham tucked home another goal to swing the pendulum again.
Naomh Conaill were level three minutes into added time when Kealan McMonagle pointed, but Karl Gallagher’s brilliant score won the night and the title for the Fishermen.
Killybegs: Corey Byrne; Niall Campbell, Cillian Gallagher, Charlie Breslin; Jack O’Donnell, Ryan Carr Eoin McGing; Timmy Gorrell, Seamus Byrne; Charlie Boyle, Odhran McGuinness (1-2), Ross Conneely; Liam Doherty (1-0), Ryan Cunningham (2-1), Karl Gallagher (0-1). Subs: Conor Cunningham for R Conneely (48), Kevin Boyle for C Boyle (59).
Naomh Conaill: Jason O’Donnell; Edward Moss, Cian Doherty, Leo Dunphy; Ronan Breslin, Kealan McMonagle (0-2, 1f); Nathan Byrne (0-2), Caolan McGill (2-0, 1pen); Shaun Callaghan (0-1), Joseph Smith, Adam Molloy; Marc Burke, Jack Boyle, Oisin Campbell. Subs: Danny Gallagher (0-4, 2f) for M Boyle (17), Mark Burke for A Molloy (56).
Referee: Greg McGrory.
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